Shruti Suman
The Delhi Traffic Police have released guidelines for commuters due to the prevalent dense fog and diminished visibility in the national capital, exacerbated by extreme winter conditions. This advisory comes in response to the meteorological department’s forecast of very dense fog across North India in the upcoming four days. Drivers are instructed to use fog lights, and travelers are urged to stay informed about the schedules of airlines, railways, and state transport.
As Delhi grapples with severe winter conditions, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts dense to very dense fog in most areas during mornings throughout the week. A “Red Alert” has been issued for Delhi, warning of potentially dense fog with visibility ranging from 199 meters to less than 50 meters. The advisory emphasizes the need for all road users to take precautions to prevent accidents and fatalities due to fog.
The Delhi Police have called on commuters to observe the following precautions to ensure a safe journey and avoid incidents in foggy conditions:
Verify the proper functioning of lights, brakes, tires, windscreen wipers, radiator, battery, and car heating system.
Maintain clean windows and mirrors, using defrosters and wipers for optimal visibility.
Enhance vehicle visibility by using low-beam headlights and avoid high beams that can impair visibility in fog.
Periodically honk to signal your presence and refrain from overtaking other vehicles.
In reduced visibility, switch on fog lights, reduce speed, closely monitor the speedometer, and avoid driving beyond the range of headlights.
Additionally, the advisory recommends pulling over to a safe location in extremely dense fog, activating hazard lights, and turning off other lights to prevent collisions with other vehicles. Commuters are cautioned against attempting to overtake in foggy conditions.
The impact of dense fog on transportation is evident, with delays and cancellations reported at IGI airport and Anand Vihar Railway Station. A passenger, Prashant Kumar, expressed dissatisfaction with train delays, highlighting the impact on the Nandankanan Express.
Despite a slight improvement in air quality, with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 356 on Friday, the air quality is expected to remain in the “very poor” category for the next two days.
